DOONIES Farm could be shut and its contents sold after campaigners today admitted defeat in their bid to save it.

Friends of Doonies, which was given permission to take over the site last August, said it could no longer afford to keep running the attraction – because of the recession.

John Sleigh, chairman of the charity group, said companies who had agreed to stump up the cash had been tightening their belts.

A confidential report to Aberdeen City Council’s resources management committee has said all livestock and machinery could be sold off and the land leased.

Mr Sleigh said as much as £150,000 would be needed to re-ignite a bid to save the farm – which he admitted was unlikely.

The report has said the farm is to be declared surplus to requirements, with a view to being leased or sold on the open market.

According to the report the current farm manager Graham Lennox has made a request to lease it. It is understood this would create a scaled-down version of the farm, which would not necessarily be open to the public.

But if that fails, all the aspects of the farm would be sold at public auction.

Mr Sleigh said: “It is very frustrating and very sad.

“I can understand the situation companies are in. It is very difficult to go to a company knowing people have lost their jobs and ask them for money. If it wasn’t for the global situation perhaps things would have been different.”

Barbara Kirkbride, 72, of Cove, who was made an Evening Express champion for her fight to save the farm, said: “I’m not giving up. The Friends of Doonies may be, but I’m not.”

A city council spokesman said: “We will continue to investigate whether there is any way possible of maintaining the Doonies rare breeds farm experience with the help of Friends of Doonies.”

nevans@ajl.co.uk